Sant Antonio Spurs player Chimezie Metu fractured his left wrist when he fell onto it while playing during the Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2018.

The most common wrist bones to fracture are the scaphoid (one of 8 small bones that act like ball bearings) and the distal (towards the hand, away from the body) part of the radius bone (the seat of the wrist).  Media reports did not state which bone was broken.

If the bones are out of place, surgery using metal fasteners (e.g. a screw or plate and screws) might be considered to hold the bones in place. The scaphoid bone is sometimes secured with a screw even if it is not out of place, in part because it is notorious for healing problems.  

Media reports indicate that Chimezie Metu’s fracture will be treated without surgery.  His wrist is casted. Fractures are usually ready for full sports (80-90% strength) after about 3 months. Complete healing takes a year.  He is expected to play this fall during training camp.

This blog was written by Ramla Kiyar and David Ring.